XTERRA MALAYSIA
In a short update ( tired from the journey back, well , you know karak..having it on a school holiday makes it really rough on the journey ).
Xterra Malaysia , somehow pulled it off with its back against the wall.Seen the weary faces of the organisers and of course the gaps in between which was left out or decided to be left out.
Swim as usual becomes the standard routine @ 15 hundred meter with occasional jellies.
On a pre-emptive race recce, I was ready to boitch about the "mtb" section , hearing that its comprises of 60% road. Somehow , being a mtber, it ain't that bad after going thru the whole course. Never the less , the weather hit hard on the red clay terrain churning red clay patty cakes of from at least 300 pairs of knobbiest tires. ( hmm mud beaters...) with many punctures too.
No traction and hi - tire pressure was talked about alot.. :-) Somehow the rain is welcomed even though everyone is mud coated from head to toe.I welcome it , made the track much more challenging else it be faster.
Trail run is anti clock wise with 2 iteration together with some tree trunks in between and some batu cave staircases , the nice part is boulder scrambling but that is already an tip-off. The beach run, is UN-effortless. I must say not providing any presentation has its springy surprises.BUT one thing that really sux is going thru the WASTE rivers meeting the sea.
For me, i hara-kiri'ed for a higher cause. I will be full out for the next one.
Congrats Lydia Tan on setting the bar for her category and taking Rank 1.
And also to Carmen , Chris whom respectively got 2nd and 3rd. Simon whom got Rank 1 too
Heck , 15th and i didnt even try !! Could have gotten within top 7..
This dude walked 15 km of bike section +10km trail run in the worst condition to finished the race. Overheard stories for some serious crashed which requires stitches from others as well.
Good Job for the Xterra's org...well selected trails wtih some degree of technicality , endurance and bike handling/carrying. More offroad the next one. less road.
_____________________________________________________________________________
5/6/09
So everyone is registered? Yes i have , no i have not paid yet. Plenty of online hype i note. kinda hard sell.. i presume.. well.. lets see.. as relay 250 and individual 150 seems pretty steep for its inaugural statement fee's without historical backing. It ought to be more relay than individual.. Well..lets just wait and see if its "Hup-Hup" for Xterra. i am sure it would. i really dont mind the Xterra Tattoo :)
Update:
Lousy crap TCBEACHHOTEL canceled my booking ( booked in March) via extremely arrogant owner.whom says another batch booking override my booking. i did not hesitate to give him a piece of my mind on this matter. Dont think he be able to sustain/maintain his hotel in this standard. i'll send TC "bitch" hotel a billion termites.
Lucky, Reliable friends got enough room space for this bloke.
at Monday, June 08, 2009 1 comments
Labels: Race
10 Years Anniversary : Ironman Langkawi 2009
with everything in between.
Perhaps i can say much more in days to come, however in this meantime i only have this to share:
- *It really doesn't matter one is slower or faster in the big picture. Its really about the bigger picture, on what you really care for after the event and what you look forward to that really matters. ( Do exclude the pro's, its their bread and butter )
- *Yes, it did sink in, it felt like a dream , perhaps its due to the training too. but IRONMAN journey does change you. Dealing with the "cards" on hand, its only in your mind. however in distance wise it very much doable.Same goes in just about anything that requires this much effort.
- *When you do the "iron". You train , you get there , and you just " go " its ZEN like. you got no room to think or worry. Again, its ZEN like.
- *The sun burns your skin, it will also burn into your memory.
- * Its not like your buying a bike ,tangible where you get to touch and ride it, this feeling is intangible. All the effort, energy and emotion is just pour into one day. Its intense and its gonna be a memory.
- *When you do this , you will know who really cares.( if you tell them.) or those whom are there with ya.
- * There are lies and deceit as you go deeper/higher. you ought to know the difference.
- *There is a time and place for this, that's when you have everything in the right manner, more power to you. Perhaps there is a form of escape in doing this.But that is your mental issue. You don't bring issues to the Ironman and even if you do. You will learn "acceptance".
- *And whatever happens in the event , you will still go on to finish it. Even if it's a few tries.
- *You dont need hi-zoot bike to start your journey. Don't need to spend a ton for this event.
- *You will encounter many "methodology" in triathlon , or in any athletics as you go higher up .You be wise to know the difference and what will suit you.
- Ironman is just a "BRAND" just like McDonalds there is no need to go "i am lovin it". No reason to brand yourself.
- *And being positive matters, Positive people matters. Stay away from the negative energy.
- *Even the best plan can fail on the course, you ought to be agile enough to compensate.Its all about decision making. Preparation includes managing risk. Managing risk means expect the worst but you can still reduce the impact. (Bring pain killers)
- *In doing this ,in your pocket what you got now is a huge reserve in confidence in whatever you may partake.
at Monday, March 02, 2009 2 comments
Labels: Close to Heart., Deep Thoughts, Race
KL OPEN Road Race
I was pretty darn lazy to get to this morning race after powerman. i got a sms at 7.20am Tery sms: Where are you? i ignored. In ten minutes, a call rang up.
A no nonsense conversation in less that 15 seconds.
Terry: so your coming or not?
Me : its raining.
Terry: i am asking if your coming or not?
Me : Still in time right?
Terry : yup
Me : OK
i got there about 40+- strong rider comprising of MSN , Letua, P2K , and some other team which i am unfamiliar with was there.(Letua i am)
Within 1.5 km of the start the race goes 45-52kmh..for the next 19 km.Freaking fast.(just got to stay in the pack) .i am just blown away at the speed and i've lost my favourite bottle in this by hitting a port hole.
At 45 km of 94 i call it quits. pretty damm lucky i did , the next 40 isnt a nice place to be in as traffic jams and tunderstorm was just there in greeting.
With Jalan Kuching in a massive traffic jam. made a serious good call it pull out from the race in time for the last broom truck.
Mental pace of Cat-A group i must say
at Saturday, November 15, 2008 0 comments
Labels: Race
powerman 2008 , lumut
Inflame i am still. Had a good duathlon , this year was prepared for it. Run time was respectable. Bike time i know i had a good time but (referee claims i was drafting )second run leg was pretty steady too,all in 3.55, Nothing much to rave about.Knew i was a marked target and i know the decision was biased. Some half arsed referee isn't cut out to be a commissaire , even in football there is 3 warning but i WILL not talk about it.(Out of respect) Never the less , i like to say thanks for the Quick-Release team to org it nicely together with sweet desserts after the race. There was this nice lady whom cheered me up during the run was Cassandra lim 392, a very good runner whom got 1st place in her cat. cheers!
On the field alot out there wasnt happy campers. Punctured and deflated was the word.Humidity and heat combination made it harder, being HOT here aint sexy. But most most runners did fairly well. Looks like it is still in the training mode back again for me.i know what i've got to do. lets just say i know when to put the hack down in future...for powerman lumut 09
HJ + PowerGels + Gu did what it was supposed to do...did not failed me one bit.
i am spacing out. 4 days of racing and being a tour guide is zoning me out..
nites hugz...
at Saturday, November 08, 2008 4 comments
Labels: Humour, Race, Thoughts
Hornet Juice Performance Supplements
Tried this months ago, believe me i was sceptical and i don't usually write about the stuff i take , just to give you a glimpse of what i know and tried was Amino Vital Strenght and Endurance, Hammergel Recoverite , GU Energy Gel ,Amino Acid base Controlled Labs Purple Wrath and others ( under my nutrition section )
Then i tried this, it totally changed my perception of Amino Acids supplement from the above. its above and beyond then the rest although it does not contain any carbo base. I seriously don't know how to share my enthusiasm to you on this with out being bias. Just google "hornet juice + VAAM"
It has helped my thru my training and competitions in the beginning of my season and till now. In high level , it gives better flow of energy and less effort on anything that is endurance based. i believe in it soo much i've decided to bring it "ON" to the rider, runner or triathlete here in Malaysia.
It is an energy experience that is worth having for an important event that you need to do your best in. please do let me have the pleasure to share this with you at a much better price and the experience of talking about it after you have crossed the line.......email me at hornetjuice.my@gmail.com ( Malaysia or Singapore )
Update : Run Strong on VAAM and others (you might find it informative)
http://books.google.com/books?id=qOgIdirlYrwC&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=vaam+japan&source=web&ots=xDbZjShvcR&sig=auF_iB7MMGzgVG16M4iCn7BwCnI&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA163,M1
Note:
So far everyone whom uses this works for them. Most of the main mistake of not feeling the effect is not using it prior to the session. It does not work best if its usage is halved or if its digested with protein. Best result is drink it before a carbo breakfast.
at Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1 comments
Labels: Nutrition, Race, Rides, Thoughts
Adidas KOTR 2008
Got lost along the way . looking at time,
Friends parked the car, in time to spare + without a swear
Waiting in line and drop it off from the ticket line.
Gave the receipt, have the band
No warm up , no sweat
With no warn, someone gunned off this RUN , we're gonna have some fun.
Faster as the rate goes higher...
pace is heavy , sweating like crazy
gradient is rolling , someone pls keep me rolling..
Crank that , with an empty tank.
Turn into a hater, SOMEONE GIVE ME WATER ..
Feels further but people says its near
That's what i wanted to hear.
See crowd getting bigger,giddy up,
Setting the tempo higher.
Cross the line within the cut off time.
So this time, i like the number on time.
" i am happy in 2.03.45 compared to my last years run "
http://viciouslifecycle.blogspot.com/2007/08/adidas-king-of-roadbut-in-realityits.html
at Monday, August 11, 2008 2 comments
Labels: Race
89 km/h
at Thursday, July 31, 2008 0 comments
Labels: Race
POWERMAN 2007 : it was the DOG'S Du Du , alright.,
Went there with Reza,Carrie , Gibs took a drive down with the all the stupid roadblock due to the BERSIH protest.
Went there saw the usual suspects. registered for the timing chip. Ate some excellent Ikan bakar... massive attack with " Feast of fury "on the dishes. Fried squids balls as big as bull's bollocks.
Didnt really hang around much except to get the essential items, everyone stayed in a different hotel except for Andy ,Su , Karen and Chad hanged there for a while..cracked some joke before the pain comes..
Race days
started sharp at 7.30 , ready as the rush comes. settle into my pace. didnt really bother about those fast runners. cruise to my pace. didnt make much ground in transition. estimated 58 mins or so... maybe 1 hour...
when i reached back , head for the bike. start whopping some ass on the bike. cut many many nice looing bike... the freaking aero helmet works wonders ! its silent and its just so peaceful in there and it feels fast too... heck yeah 38-40 kmh... untill the the 30th km my knee gave way...it hurt soo bad. every 12- 8 'o'clock crank stroke hurt like pulling my leg apart. seriously wanted to pull out of the race.
i cant even fucking pedal... it went to bad to worst. cramps set in, no salt. lack of water. seriously in no mood to even look at anyone.. lowered my kmh to 28-32.... reach back about 2 hour.
now the last leg.. i swear the pain is still in my head as i am writing this . with my knee injury ( I can manage cramps ) but fuck i cant manage my knee's going under the hammer. i walked and walked ... everyone and i mean everyone jogged passed me. my advantage of 15+- mins just walked away.
i wasnt amused at all... with people asking are YOU OK? i retort back NO. i just walked...
tried brisk walking but i got nuthing left. i walk again. tried jogging again , shouted" fuck " instead. Well there is a nice guy with NO.109 whom said "come'er mate walk with me"
Sure, hi Name's Bernard. he went i'm Bernard too..he lighten me up abit..cracked a few jokes...
fast forward....
One thing i dont appreciate is " stepping on someone when he or she is down " so if anyone out there whom thinks its alright... i'd wish you to " go ahead and fuck yourself and be happy "
Finished my run in 1 hr 40. its the dog shit alright.
sigh... yeah i am pissed. i need therapy. knee therapy.
congrats to all whom had a good time out there..
i'd lo0ok forward to Presidential ride. hopefully my knee will do okay. then i wont be pissed..
nite again.
at Monday, November 12, 2007 0 comments
KOUTA - KEBEL
at Monday, September 24, 2007 1 comments
Labels: Parts Review, Race, Rides
INTERSTATE 2007 Pcc Cycling - Feel the love yet?
How does one start writing-up an epical bicycling adventure that starts in the suburbs of Ipoh and traverses to the coastal town of Penang in 80 hours? It is difficult enough to remember exactly what happened right before, during and after those 80 hours, the whole ride seemed a blur.With the knowledge of knowing that this Interstate sets the bar in terms of luxury accommodation,ballroom presentations and not forgetting the food.... Here's what left a lasting impression.
Everyone wakes up,fill up ,gear up,jeered up and meet up at the lounge of casturina hotel.I'd said i'd promised to stay with the group. (which i did not manage to,either too fast or too bonked ).Then blame it on the ever uncertain dynamics of the whole peloton with the rider's personality mixed up with their bikes personality and the exchange of energy between them, i'd swear they are half people , half bicycle .Which in results i came to an epiphany of realizing that every trial and tribulation in a long distance event is root caused by knowingly being there on the bike and "gives'ing it "
And yep folks - it's all in the mind, especially in a cyclist mind riding Interstate 2007.
"When you're out there on the bike, you've got a lot of time to think. And what goes through your mind has the power to get you that extra 50ks or bring you down and make cycling seem impossible."
"when you're out there on the bike , knowingly push on with the fact there is 30 riders following , what goes through your mind to power on for the next 30mins to make the pull"
"when you're out there on the bike , knowingly pushin on with the fact there is 10 riders is catching up on you , what goes through your mind to catch them when they pass by while having limited or no reserves left within to hook on "
I'd says there's no rules for good and bad days.
Sometimes you do 150ks and you feel like you could go on for another 50 more - it might be a beautiful day or you might have a good tailwind. But when you're sun-stroked and burnt and there's another 40 ks to go, sometimes you do want to stop. You have to be able to imagine the friend that's waiting for you , the nice cold shower or the nice cold drink to take you through the last k's .. otherwise you couldn't do it. Knowingly there is an untapped reserve within that guides you thru an autopilot of zen like nature which pushes and says "its alright, you'll make it"
The memories of motion still lingers in the muscles of the legs and round and round they seem to goes.( i'd swear i still feel it now)
Feeling satisfied in life is a matter of finding the right perspective from which to view it. At least that's the conclusion I came to after finishing this year's Interstate 2007.
In epilog,
i'd say its job well done to the PCC committee..i'd thank the collective effort of everyone ( including sponsors,support, camera dudes & dudettes ) in which this will never be able to materialized. i'd say thanks to those extra 110++ rider to make up the amount from last years 150 to 260 this year ( whom dared to register) . i'd say thank for the awesome weather.
and i'd say thanks that everything went well...and no bike were harmed. ;)
at Wednesday, September 05, 2007 0 comments
Labels: Event, Race, Rides, Training
Desaru 2007 Long Distance Triathlon
This Blogger made the trip down to Desaru , with 2 mates Adeline and Adrian.
Took a morning drive down to Desaru after breakfast. Frequent stop for meals and leaks.
Very chirpy feeling with the mixed feeling of excitement and the readiness to Go..
We reached there roughly about 3.30pm and without much hesitation we took to the registration booth and signed our soul away along with 80 ringgit to boot....
Usually when you sign your soul away to a triathlon.. you tend to see the light..
While waiting for the rest we took a short 500 meter swim to taste Desaru. bouyancy is pretty good. Except those lil critters which loves biting swimmers..(Wonder how they look like..)
By the time comes at 5 .30 all the usual faces is spotted and one thing for sure , everyone is hungry but still we had the Race briefing by the trijokerdirector Mr Chan where it is mentioned that " The Whole Race Course is YOUR TOILET bowl...feel free to do it anywhere" Fuckin A man...best statement ever.
The guy on the left aint looking at the bike... mind you....
A Planet X sales pitch on 12k carbon weave... The lady asked : what kinda of cross-stitch is that??
We started to make growls in tummy & hungry = Angry.
We decide to have carbo loading dinner that's like with a drive to some unknown town.. everyone in the car was quiet and hungry thinking " are we like there yet?" Need Rice to Race brudder!
Everything Taste so darn good....
It was a Feast of Fury ( notice a table full of 100 Plus , confirm you got a bunch of cyclist... )
Without this meal we would not had made it thru desaru ... Adrian would not had a 500 meter sprint to the finish line if it wasn't for that last tofu he swallowed.
Okay so we filled out stomach , when we got back we filled out bottles...
A black 12k weave erection ... with 2 yellow testosterone filled balls......Just what Adrian needs for his race .... 
Thought is was a 330 km untill i told him its only 3x30 km
Ah ! the T1 line.... which i will never forget..its supposed to be a Rainbow you twit.....bet the ppl didnt even realized it..
The womens club.. Gezuz wtF is that 2 guys staring at..pervs...
Yeah , thats a mighty fine pump you got there...
Lizi ,Jason and Me ( Hin Tong was mirco-adjusting his bike position thus able saving micro seconds , thus wasnt available for this shot.)
Jasmine.. she didnt want to take this shot.. unless i re-program her Cateye to do 35 kmh average....... .i swear that bike is going to hit the lady in the pic backdrop.
10 seconds before the Hammer goes down...
So the race started 10 seconds earlier.. remembered everyone was just chatting unaware of the whistle blow....anyway then everyone swam , they brave the waves.. they swam and swam.. then they just gave up reaching ... they didnt ever reach the 1st buoy... well.. most did.. and most didnt...
Well. i'd say its a tough tough swim..everyone knows it..thats why some decide to skip the 1st buoy....Those of you who didnt..Good for you..you were faster...
For me i took it at 1 hour. Coz i was heading no-where and those sea lice was playing Tic -Tac-Toe with me....realized it took some trick to beat the rip tide.
Getting out to T1, Grab the bike.. wear the stuff.. and go>go> go> fucking cycled like a i was bike thief. i was overtaking alot maintaining 32 at 55 km mark..at 1hr40 minutes. Untillllll i crashed... (Shit. i bet you already know.. but want to read this anyway)
Looking back i had really goood memories with this bike....this picture was taken the night before...
and at approximately 1.20- 1.20pm the next day, i cant ride with her anymore...
So What the Fuck Happened ?
Ask this guy name JASON WONG Race No 259 from Singapore, whom decide its alright to stop in the middle of the road to start puking saying "i want to puke"and then said he was "about " to pull side.....You piece of shit..you pull aside immediately, you selfish retard. He also decided to Leave Town..after he DNF.....
Jason Wong if you reading this, your a major faggot and i do remember your face that's all i can say....
Fast forward... got back to the starting line on a motorobike,while carrying my bike...threw the bike on thew ground..and the final jab was the tactless idiot MC drew on his microphone... "108 YOU DID NOT FINISH THE RACE" and in the mids of everything lost my bento bag.. ( Mr Chan found it back, thank you very much)Thanks BikeBoutique for the SportsBean, just to make me feel a lil better...
Calm down and decided to Run the 21km ... No.. didnt smile thru the 21 km...it was 100% pure anger extract that powered thru while having pain all over..finished it in 2.30. fuck it hurts.
hell yeah .. you bet i was angry.. why should i not be?
The friends whom was there, the frend who called. the frends whom smsed me , the frends whom knew but didn't want to bother me. Thank you, you know who you are..i really appreciate your positive side....
Took a long time to update... coz spend time on googling frame reviews ;) got to look forward... man..
Well if you want to see the bike its in http://www.bikeprobicycle.com/
PCC SUNDAY RIDE
Found out about it on Sunday.. evening and it gutted me again.. found out all was alright just a lil battle scars to show and tell... and all's fine.
at Sunday, August 19, 2007 5 comments
Labels: Race
Adidas King of the Road...but in reality..
With all the biking cronies.. ( gee.. camera phone aint too good in the dark...) Gunter, Adrien, me, Arif. Adeline, Senn , Jaja , i bet there are more out there i have not met...
A beautiful sunrise view and that's Jazemine heading to the horizon..
Senn moving slowly but surely..
IN REALITY.. I BITE THE DUST at km 7
Everyone is running,music thumping my legs just aint moving..Felt like lead and my knee starts to hurt.,Jason,Jezamine,Joanne,Lizzie,Ashley, Adeline , Arif met me , holler at me..sacrifice a few second to pace me..Met arif in the the final 3 km whom got into some feet tendon problem so we decideed to walk.. Thanks...its good to know that there are friends looking out for ya.
Finding myself seriously drained after the ride to PD with less that 10 hours to Adidas KOTR, I felt its more like :
lets see.. 1.45 cut off time.. to my actual time of 2.45 wow.. my worst ever, never have i gotten this knackered with along side an problematic knee... today just didn't shine for me but its not like i cant handle it...the Pain doesn’t go away and just gets worse as you continue. I stopped running and started walking immediately. I walked for about 5 minutes, then tried to run again. I got about a minute of running in and then the pain hit again. I walked.
Its a cue to really rest my knee....this time seriously no more fucking around.....
OH yeah and to those who aren't so forgiving.. thinking its an execuse....Come.. LETS PLAY...again... :) after i heal of course..
Update 9.00 pm : Went to have a check up , it seems i've got Patellar Tendonitis ...was given some painkiller and anti inflammation pills...
Never have i experience finishing so far back and with no medal... It humbles you, it gives a new sense of respect to those whom are determined to complete than to compete. Especially the older folks and to those going "one" up for the first time....with sheer teeth grinding and grit.
So go ahead.. i'll catch up... just gimme some time to recover..
at Sunday, August 05, 2007 7 comments
Labels: Race
ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD...
hmmmm....what can i say? i wrecked my knee last sunday when i jogged at kiara.Nottoo sure if i can meet the cut off at 1.45.lets see....
at Wednesday, August 01, 2007 1 comments
Labels: Race
Port Dickson Triathlon 2007 : MIxed feeling.....and Angry again.
My Sidi's is still wet and i bet my bottom bracket is flooded. It rained so much might as well just wear my tri suit the whole time... and only wear a t-shirt for carbo loading dinner... Swim was smooth 32..bike was 1.11 Run a disappointing 57 so its around 2.40-2.42 +- Nothing spectacular.
The wheel's built is fabulous.Nicely tuned for comfort, climbs and sprints.
I know i am able to kick it better. What the heck..stressful week i have. i deserve a break. Atleast timing was better that i anticipated. (Good timing to Arif and Jason ( watch out! this kid can rock on a Argon18 )
Advice on speed lace : Do not tighten your elastic speed lace too tightly , thinking "OOH its elastic" prior to race day just because you bought it on Saturday.It gave me 2 huge blister and it kinda spoil my run.
(PS - I kept the pain a secret only the apartment mates knew the shit i had to go thru to lace it...)
I can say its one of the most pleasant organised PD Tri i have been SO far.The people i talked to and had fun with..Tuesday Nite Cronies, Chad and Andy's gang, the Jeff and Daniel lim,Alex, Elaine,Phoebe, Jasmine, new tri blogger Raymond Jaja, Azmar + others i have met but too spaced out to remember.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE , IT MEANS JACK SHIT...
i am going to bed....
at Wednesday, July 25, 2007 0 comments
Labels: Race
Here comes PD...
Its been a long week..have not been training much (honest). Just do not know how it will be like for the performance. Guess i just got to tri it out..Bike's tuned up
Got BIKEPRO daniel lim to fix my wheel up. I have decided not to use my deep dish wheel.I'd used my semi-aero wheels instead for i need the acceleration for the gradual slopes on PD.
lets see my estimated timing this time around will be 2hr 57mins.BLEAH!
yeah..lets just ROCK it..
at Saturday, July 21, 2007 0 comments
Labels: Race
Penang Marathon Pic's
Sorting out the numbers.
Its polaroid sunglasses babe, cant get em , no more.
G-Hotel aint bad at all.Its near to everything. 
Posing around with some red funky honeycombs
You just got to understand,man. it's all about the shoes.
Respect them for tomorrow they'll pull you thru.
42km + Beer = KO
i don't &%$% care if its gay or not. Do you understand the pain involved to get these?
Happy and not tired with Tired but Happy.
at Tuesday, June 26, 2007 0 comments
Labels: Race
Lesson learned during a Marathon. (with Race report.)
Developing blisters in new, exciting places.
Chafing occurs in new, exciting places.
Pain in new , exciting places.
Stories you've heard about the last 10k of the race is 100% true and NOT exaggerated At All.
Eat the not so tasty gels first, Save the tasties for later.
Sub 5 hour marathon can be done with only 10 km training.!
The power of hearing someone call your name is amazing.
A Friend running with you during your 30km breaching point, just awesome.
The 4 words mantra "Feeling Strong, Going strong" ROCKS!.
Friends and strangers cheering you on is incredibly moving and inspiring.
Having a 10 meter sprint with another marathoner and won after 42.1 km:PRICELESS.
12 Hrs before Race Day
Registered at 11.00 ,thanks to Arif and Senn for it. quite huge crowd at registration at Queensbay mall. Looks like a ticket counter for a carnival rather than a marathon registration.
So we checked in at THE G-hotel...yeah it sounds corny. but it does seems pretty nice. Ronald , Peter and me placed our stuff in there before meeting up with Senn and Arif , we head down to the back streets of penang for lunch.
So whats the essential nutrition for marathon runners prior the Penang Bridge run.
Kari ayam, kari ikan, Kari sotong , every darn curry that a Nasi Kandar stall can mix it in. We had it + plenty of papadum! to top it off with excellent Penang cendol.
( asking for trouble isnt it )
We head down back to the G-hotel to have some rest. Being hyper and not wanting to sleep arif and Senn decided to see Fantastic 4. ( I said lets go ) Whats a cheesy movie oh well , thats another story.
So after the movie we went back to our separate rooms to chill down. Peter , Ronald and Me decided to go to have dinner @ 7 while Arif and Sennn was getting some shut eye.
7 hours prior to a full marathon , We had high calorie nutritious intake of Char kueh teow, Fried Osyters, Ikan bakar, Sotong Bakar and Rojak buah. ( We are suicidal kamikaze marathoners but we are also in penang! )
Went back took a dump a shower and slept.
RACE DAY
Wohoo.
Woke up at 12.30 ( said to myself, shit this is the time , everyone is out clubbing )
So we preped up , smack it up and got it going to the parking area.
Saw none of the familiar faces in there. So we joked and mess about in the "elite area" where we were quarantined. Saw Lesley and Alex some kaki tri.
Soon the flood gates open , the officials turn us loose at the Start point at 3.00 am. Saying our good luck. we initiated.
And we began this journey.i broke away but starting out regulated no wanting to burst out everything. so the first 20 was really good. The running environment was dark at 3-6 am all you can focus on is the road and yourself + the other marathoner around.
It was a pretty lonely journey of drinking and smacking on gels with the legs constantly on a stride. Untill I saw those kenyans running. its quite an awesome sight to see them just vanish on a 2 km road in less than 4 mins!
And also until i saw that Asley with kenyan legs + sherpa lungs too. She was like chasing the kenyans as though the kenyans stole her mp3 player.
I was happy to see Elain when she came into my sight. ( meaning i was dropping in speed. )Saw jasmine on the other side of the bridge ( going strong ) while we both run along side. i harpooned her for easy 13- 14k until the last 10 km where i start to drop due to the pain on my legs. Our conversation was just really fun during that duration so positive and full of energy. The first half was a dream pretty surreal. I kept up easily with a good pace team and was militant about storing up energy for later. Everything was on track for a best-case scenario. Enlighten to think on the stuff that really matters to me on run and when its over when i get back.
However in a journey like this the truth prevails and something got to give. Having never breaching a 15 km run nor a half marathon at the most with several 10 km runs.
I'd expected not to last 25 km. but i was going strong, feeling strong all the way until 35 km. Where the last 7 did takes its toll on the knees.i think everyone can vouch on the Intel stretch of road being a very mentally and physically challenging distance but it was much further, nearer to Queensbay mall where my legs was giving me the middle finger. Along the way i saw Arif who looks fine and dandy "how far more? "quite a bit" i said.
At the last 7 was really mind to the body. not body to the mind.Then I detected a blister on my left foot. Strange, I thought. I'd never gotten a blister from running, and I was wearing a safely worn-in pair of shoes. Fortunately, the pain was minimal, and I was able to forget about it and keep moving.
But I couldn't ignore my tired legs. Soon, after holding out as long as possible, I had to stop and walk a few feet then several few feet's. i was hoping to make it in 4hrs 30 mins.
Kind-hearted spectators near 40km shouted their encouragement, and I kept moving so as not to disappoint them.
So it is made good that i manage to finsh it in 4hrs 40+ mins. pretty happy indeed.
Congrats to those who entered, to those i have started with , to those i have met half way thru , and to those who reached back :)
( More stories and pictures later. i am tired. i wanna sleep. nite and lights out.)
at Monday, June 25, 2007 4 comments
Labels: Race
Kenyir 2007 Tri
Karen picked me near by my place at 7.00 am tagging along was Oscar her son. we took the Karak highway towards Kuantan. it was a pleasant journey reaching kuantan about 10 plus . Really had a good time in the car , very picnic like breakfast while driving and with Oscar entertaining both me and Karen.
Our journey was smooth untill one point where the highway came abruptly to an end had to make a U turn .We were trying to find Route 14 instead of Route 3. Confused the directions and mis-guide by the map , we had to call for backup for directions to "Terrorganu"
EHH! ARIF! Where You now er?!
Eh! do you happen to know the route to terengganu err? once the highway ends? Kemamaan?
Izzit? OOHH OKOK! i'll follow that route.
So okay we are back on track chit chatting all the way until we saw the road sign to Ajil where we took and this is what it looks like this:
This went on like 50% of the 47 km journey to Route 14. The doubts in me was running pretty high %&&^*#^&# how can this route be like that !!! cant they ... blah blah..
funny thing is i caught a cold and ma nose is blocked during this journey. (Sigh,another indicator of stress )
But we did manage to get there and kenyir welcome us with this
So once reaching there we registered and i joined Adrian and the Gunter, got a quick meal , and we took a short cycle like 6km , swim like 400meters and ran 15 mins. Surprisingly the water is pretty good clear and warm... it has the feeling like body temperature.
After depleting some glycogen, you know how hungry one can be , all the lil muscle cells begging for sweet carbs. 
Funny thing was during the briefing , Uncle Chan was joking around on the hill and how this is the toughest of the series. I was just grinning away and snickering, i bet Senn and Arif had a bubble thought "stupid fool,just he wait for tomorrow "
Now putting on the Race Face , the serious stuff.
Race environment was : hilly, windy
Thus this two main factor had already made the fact that one should go light and go low. So aerobar is not used, no pump no tools, no tube. and stem is lowered one spacer.
Swim started about drafting a few fellas and surprisingly no cramps this time.Was doing the frogman+ 20% freestyling all the way thru Have no idea on whats the timing so dont ask me.Came out the water very well alone.
T1: BIKE
This tri is all about Hills . right after the swim is hill, out to the bike route is hill, on the bike route is hills.Perhaps due to breaststoke my thighs are worn out before the hills came. just didnt had the legs for it. did overtook several faster swimmer but somehow the legs didnt last long on the bike.
Only saw several people passing by Daniel lim ( aka bikepro LIM)and several others
thus indicates the u-turn is near. Saw Gunter passing by as well (&%$%$)
Made the u-turn and slight further ahead looking back, Lord Mother of MOthers!!! its KAREN WEI! shit. Decided to give some draft to her however going down i was just pulling away as i had the lower ratio.
At one point i was passing this dude with sweeeet looking TT LOOK bike with zipps 404 really nice colour coordinated red decals, red housing with black background (really ganas)but sadly this bike aint made to climb. i climb well ahead however when it came to the downhills this dude has the advantage of aero and weight on his side.So made a very good symbiosis where on the hills i climb , he draft and when its time to go down he push the air aside and i draft. but he totally lost it when it came to the last hill on the way back..(12% wei).not easy
T2: RUN
Coming out of the run was slow. My run was a walk and jog instead , lo and behold that "Mother" passes me by again , she had the cheek to Hello! bernard! while my stomach is churning and ever ready to fertilize some lucky plant.
Just to maintain the pace, its totally mental. The brain goes: Which part of "Just do it " dont you understand. Just pace urself! scre* the rest and hang-on.
Saw Adrian on the run , saw Patsy , Jeffry and others.( All going strong , feeling strong )
Pretty nice section when they had the School-kids line up to give HIGH FIVE'S now thats really cool thing, when one need that extra motivation , those lil kid's smile does ease the suffeing a lil.
Overall it is fun and fer sure its a sufferfest a holiday for me as well and a last minute decision to make it for Kenyir. i am happy i got to do it.
Look at what Kenyir gave them!!
and look a what kenyir gave me
cheers!!!
at Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2 comments
Labels: Race